Poff powers Pelham; Funaro fuels Lowell win (SLIDESHOW)

Lowell Catholic catcher Kyle DeRoma tags out Pope John s Pat Kelly, who was trying to score from second on a single in the top of the third inning, at Hadley Field in Lowell. Lowell Catholic rolled to a 13-1 win. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE

Jake Kirane had 2 hits and scored a run for Pelham (3-9). Erik Olson ripped a run-scoring triple.

Lowell 2

Andover 1

Henry Funaro struck out 8, allowed only 3 hits and the run against him was unearned in Lowell's tight MVC win.

Max Gilman went 2-for-3 with a triple and run scored, Dalton Quinn went 1-for-2 with a triple and RBI, and Funaro went 1-for-3. Alex Cruz added a hit and third baseman Harrison Silva was superb defensively for Lowell.

Lowell Catholic s Zach Gitschier runs out a triple. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE

Chelmsford 7

Haverhill 1

Josh Roberge picked up his third win of the year on mound, surrendering only 2 hits over 5 innings.

The Lions were led offensively by Kyler Brown with 3 hits. Kevin Sweeney added 2 hits and 2 RBI. Shea Ryan chipped in 2 hits and a RBI, while Ryan Hart contributed 1 hit and 3 RBI for CHS (8-6).

Greater Lowell 7

Essex Tech 6

Down 3-0 in the top of the seventh, Greater Lowell forced extra innings with a rally and the Gryphons ultimately won the wild affair in the ninth inning.

GL scored four runs in the top of the ninth on a squeeze by Nick Kacavas, a RBI double by Brian Bosia and a two-run double by Dylan Bogacz. Essex rallied for three in the bottom of the ninth before Jeremy Gray got the final out.

Advertisement

Will Schmidt pitched first 8.2 innings for the Gryphons (4-9), allowing 6 hits and striking out 5. In the three-run seventh, Jeremy Gray doubled and Cole Harris doubled him in. With two out, Aurelio Vasquez singled Harris in and eventually scored on a single by Ian Paquette. Gray led GLT with 3 hits.

Dracut 7, Tewksbury 3

Tyler Roberge went the distance to earn the win for Dracut, allowing 6 hits and 1 walk while fanning 4. Tewksbury scored all its runs in the bottom of the first.

For Acton-Boxboro (7-5), outfielder Michael Sarneilli made a great running catch while crashing into the left field fence.

LC second baseman Trevor Hult runs in after making a catch. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE

Lowell Catholic 13, Pope John 1

Zach Gitschier collected 2 triples, a double, single and 2 RBI to power the Crusaders at Hadley Field in Lowell.

Mikas Kulbis-Marino also had a big day at the plate with a triple, double, single and 2 RBI. Kyle DeRoma (double, single, RBI) and Ryan Duffy (double, RBI) also contributed. Alex Graves went 4 innings to earn the win for LC (12-2), striking out 7, walking 1 and allowing 2 hits.

Russell Murphy smacked a pair of hits and scored 2 runs, while Zac Carpenter had 1 hit with 2 runs scored and an RBI for the Rams (14-2, 11-2 CAC). C.J. Zemetres was the winning pitcher, scattering 6 hits while striking out 6 in 6 innings.

Shrewsbury 9, Billerica 5

Scott Murphy had a double and 3 RBI while leading Billerica (6-10). Ryan Murphy pitched well in relief, and made his presence felt on offense with a hit and RBI. Tyler Stack had a single and scored a run.

Tyngsboro 6, Bromfield 1

Tyler Hapenny went the distance in the win for the Tigers, allowing 8 hits, walking 2 and striking out 5.

James Sampson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Hapenny went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Chris Rabias chipped in a 2-for-5 performance. Garret Vigneault drove in a pair of runs, while Johnny Carlsson drove in one run.

Wilmington 5, Melrose 3

Matt Rideout finished with 3 hits, 1 run scored, 1 RBI and 2 stolen bases while helping Wilmington clinch at least a share on the Middlesex League Freedom Division title.

The Wildcats (11-3, 10-3 league) only need one win in their final three league games to claim the crown outright.

Dan Gracia had a double with an RBI, while Chris Grecco had a hit and 2 RBI.

Chris Stokes started on the mound and earned the win, scattering 6 hits with 2 strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Graham Smith pitched final 1.2 innings and didn't give up a run while earning the save.

Alvirne 12, Londonderry 1

Freshman Justin Broussard's varsity debut was a memorable one, as he had 2 hits, including a double, and drove in 3 runs.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.